When the Life Is Right

Scriptures: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Many years ago, I was in a supermarket one day, trying to pick a melon to buy. I went from one to another and was having troubles deciding which one to pick. Just then, a man wearing the uniform of the supermarket came to me and asked if I needed help. I told him my dilemma and he gladly showed me how to pick a melon. At the end, he said, “If a melon was grown right, having the right amount of sunshine, water and nutrition, it would grow to a good size with the right color on its skin and you can feel that smoothness on the skin, too.”

With the limited knowledge I have on plants, I think he was right. I noticed that every kind of plants has a unique set of requirements for the amount of sunshine, water and nutrition. More than that, the timing of giving these life essentials as well as of trimming are very important, too. Some of these requirements are essential for the color of the fruits, others are for the sweetness, juiciness, size, smoothness, and fragrance of the fruits. The things that set the experts apart from novice like me are, I think, their extensive knowledge of different requirements for different plants and their detail knowledge of the timing to do the right thing.

I think, in many ways, our spiritual life is the same. When we have the right amount of exposures to the light of the world and the right amount of provisions of essentials for our spiritual life through reading the bible, devotionals, reflections and prayers, when we are willing to be trimmed by the gardener of our life and, most importantly, when we are constantly connected to the vine, the source of our life, we are on the right track of bearing fruit. When the life is right, with all necessary nutrients and timely trimming, we will not only bear fruits, we will bear beautiful fruits.

It’s interesting to note that, in the book of Galatians, Apostle Paul did not say “But the fruits of the Spirit are …” Instead, he said, “But the fruit of the Spirit is …” he seemed to be saying that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are not nine different kinds of fruits. They are actually nine characteristics of one fruit, the fruit of the full, mature life of our Lord Jesus.

In other words, they are nine characteristics of one life and, when this life fully matures, it will display all these characteristics and its fragrance will permeate throughout its environment. These are not just 9 characteristics to be desired. They can also be 9 measures with which we assess our very own spiritual life. Where am I in each of these 9 dimensions? Am I a loving person? Am I anxious inside over any disagreement, or even others’ opposition, and full of critical spirit? Do I keep my words? Do I monitor my temperament and take preventive measure to make sure I don’t allow my temperament to go wild? Where am I in the maturity measure?

I am sure none us would claim that we actually are totally mature in all aspects. Each of us displays more of some characteristics and less of others. But the determination of where we are requires an honest assessment of ourselves with the teachings of God, as recorded in the bible.

The good news is, though we may never be totally mature in any of these characteristics in this life, the fact that we do display some is an indicator that the Spirit is already working in us and the results are visible to us and to others. As imperfect and immature as we are, our Lord is willing to use any characteristics displayed in our life for His glory and for others’ blessings. He will not quit until the day we meet Him because “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Although I am not a good grower of fruits, I have not given up on planting fruit trees in my backyard for I know, with practice, one day I will be a better one, literally and spiritually. With the grace of God, I hope that day arrives sooner than later!

Prayer Requests:
For farmers and kingdom workers

Prayer:
Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness that sees us through all ups and downs in life. Please help us to stay focus on Your Son, our Lord Jesus, as we face attacks and challenges in life. Please keep our desire for Your kingdom fervent and keep our pursuit of Your righteousness alive as we pray in the loving name of our Lord Jesus, Amen!